Students held and fed the chicks and asked questions about the birds’ beaks and feathers, learning how the birds use various parts of their bodies for survival.

The chicks were incubated during the last 21 days in the media center and students were able to observe the process, Denham said. Denham said that the whole school has been able to experience the birds.

Peering into an iPad, SCA fifth-graders Jabari Williams and Shye Richardson told North Allegheny Intermediate High School tenth-graders Takouma Goto and Alex Pizob about their weekend plans, according to a school press release. North Allegheny Intermediate High School is located in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“My plans are just playing a game,” Williams said. “Life is just a game,” Goto joked, then paused. “I don’t know the rest of that quote,” Goto said, smiling.

The four students discussed their days, dodgeball, kickball and spring break. “It’s pretty educational and pretty fun,” Goto said.

“Our favorite part is how we get to know what it’s like to be in high school and what it’s like in Pennsylvania,” Williams said. Richardson agreed.​The mentoring program is called On Giants’ Shoulders. Once per week students spend 15 minutes a day talking to academically accomplished students from a Pennsylvania high school, said Jennifer Denham, SCA communications director.​“Many younger students do not consider it cool to be smart,” said SCA academic coach and testing coordinator Liz Freitag, “accomplished older peers can be powerful role models.”

When students placed the plastic red Google headsets over their eyes, they no longer saw the classroom around them.Instead, students saw Borneo, the Aurora Borealis, the Aztec and Mayan ruins, wherever their teacher decided to take them.

Students gasped, waved, and pointed as they turned their heads up, down, and side to side.

In the rainforests of Borneo, the students saw a rhinoceros beetle, praying mantis, and a ball python.In every direction they looked, students saw only a photo-realistic world of places they had never been.

Teacher Missy Lefiles instructed her students to remain seated to avoid running into each other. Co-teacher Chris Luong used the Google Expeditions software to point out to students where to look to find the camouflaged animals.

"These trips are collections of virtual reality panoramas — 360-degree panoramas and 3D images — annotated with details, points of interest, and questions that make them easy to integrate into curriculum already used in schools,” according to Google Expeditions’ website.

“They have over 400 expeditions and they’re adding new ones all the time,” said Jennifer Denham, Scintilla communications manager.​As fifth-grader Scarlet Jerome said, "We can’t afford to spend a lot of money and put everyone on a plane.”Still, field trips are important to the Scintilla curriculum, said Mandy Avera, dean of students and school support.“Google Expeditions is the perfect tool to integrate this field work into classroom learning,” Avera said.

“They bring in someone’s favorite book,” she said. Brenda Deloach purchased copies of Stephen’s “The Legend of the Starfish” for the entire class, Denham said. Deloach is friends with the grandmother of one student, Denham said.

“Allison personalized each of the books with her name and a saying and answered all their questions about writing books and illustrating,” she said.

“It’s a great story about giving back and helping others, about making a difference, no matter how small,” Denham said.She added all proceeds from Stephen’s book go to charity. "We have a big push at Scintilla about service to others,” Denham said.

County Government ABCs

VALDOSTA — Second- and fifth-grade students from Scintilla Charter Academy experienced county courts firsthand thanks to Lowndes County government officials.

Both grade levels are learning about government and their community on different levels, said Jennifer Denham, Scintilla director of communications and engagement.

The school provided Lowndes County Clerk Paige Dukes with the Georgia standards for the EL Education Curriculum. From there, Dukes created a learning experience for the students that partnered with the curriculum.

EL Education focuses on three core areas including mastery of knowledge and skills, character and high-quality skills, according to Scintilla.

This first field trip brought the kids to the Lowndes County Judicial Complex where students listened to Dukes present the history of Lowndes County and its government and information on the court system from Kelley Maslak of the magistrate court.

The children received a first-hand look at the voting process by selecting two “candidates” to present their platforms as commissioners while their peers voted for their favorite.

Some of the platforms that took commissioner seats included a second playground, lower power bill for the school and the addition of a second gym.

​Kate Hasty, a 7-year-old second grader, said the field trip was a fun way to learn more about her lessons.“I am enjoying it,” Kate said. “It’s cool coming to the courthouse and learning the things they do. We learned about all that a couple of weeks ago.”

​“My children have never been so engaged,” said Baker. “This is a dream come true for all of us. This is all about parent involvement.”

​SCA First Grade Scholars Help Feed the Hungry

First grade scholars in Mrs. Santana and Mrs. Knights classes are pictured with some of the food bags they created.

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, through the Youth Service America Program, partnered with first grade scholars at Scintilla Charter Academy to feed the hungry in our area with the help of Telamon Corporation's Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Program. Grant funds were used to purchase food that was bagged by the first grade scholars and distributed by Telamon Corporation's Early Childhood Site Manager, Mary Clare Tarpley and Family Services Specialist, Rocio Jimenez.

​The project was expected to feed at least 50 migrant & seasonal worker families in the local area. The idea for this grant came from Luke Tarpley, an SCA first grade scholar, who was concerned about children being hungry. Ms. Debbie Santana and Mrs. Brooke Knight’s classes assisted in this service learning project.

Scintilla’s Fourth Grade Focuses on Serving Others

Olivia Pelkowski, fourth grade student at SCA, presents Angie Hendley a check for Hungry at Home. She is joined by Mrs. Pam Young, her homeroom class, and Mrs. Misty Dearth, SCA computer teacher.

Valdosta, GA - Fourth grade students from Scintilla Charter Academy raised $235 for Hungry at Home, a program whose goal is to "bridge the gap" between school and home so children do not have to be hungry while away from school.

The students in Mrs. Pam Young’s homeroom decided they wanted to help solve a problem in their community and spent time brainstorming ways to raise funds and what they wanted those funds to accomplish. They began by drawing pictures and selling them to students and staff. They raised the bulk of the funds by selling student-made crafts and baked goods during SCA’s Fall Fiesta.

"We wanted to help other children who didn't have enough to eat and I feel like we should give back to our community," said Olivia Pelkowski, fourth grade student.

Representatives from the fourth grade visited Black Crow Media radio stations on November 25 to share why this cause and fundraiser were so close to their hearts. Then on December 2nd, SCA students excitedly presented the check to Hungry at Home’s representative Angie Hendley.

“This is a great example of one of SCA’s innovations, Service Based Learning,” said Pam Young, fourth grade lead teacher. “This innovation allows students to explore real-world problems and challenges and work to create solutions. This gives them a deeper understanding of the subject they are studying.”Young continued, “We are proud of their efforts and the integration of service learning shown through this generous donation.”

Administrative Changes at SCA

November 20, 2015On November 19, 2015 Scintilla’s Local Governing Board adopted the following restructuring with updated duties and assignments going forward until the end of the 2015-2016 school year: Effective November 20, 2015, Mandy Avera, Dean of Students and School Support, is the lead on all administrative responsibilities and oversight at Scintilla Charter Academy. Additionally, Catherine McGahee, currently the Academic Coach/SPED Director, will move to the position of Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Instruction. This position will continue to encompass special education.Scintilla’s Founding Principal, Julie Hiers, stepped in to fill a vacant third grade position and has decided to return to the classroom permanently.Amanda Miller, currently SCA’s Inclusion Coordinator, will now be the Behavior and Intervention Coordinator and Stephanie Mullis, previously the Assistant Business Manager, will hold the new position of Systems Administrator and Operations Manager.These changes will ensure compliance, efficiency, and success as well as long-term and sustainable administrative and academic infrastructure at Scintilla Charter Academy.

The board voted to approve financial policies and procedures, that concern the school’s payment processes. Finally, the board voted to approve a revised organizational chart, that includes the full faculty and staff.

While some teachers are setting up their rooms, the school officially expects all the teachers to arrive for set up Tuesday.​The academy scheduled orientation days for respective grades. Kindergarten, Aug. 17; first grade, Aug. 18; second grade, Aug 19; third grade, Aug. 20; fourth grade, Aug. 21.

A ribbon cutting for the school is scheduled for Sept. 2.

“This is more of a community event,” said Scintilla Charter Academy Public Relations Director Jennifer Denham “Parents are invited, and we want everyone to come out.”

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27, at the school’s campus, 2171 E. Park Ave. in the media center.

Scintilla Charter Academy is proud to announce the newest member to our family and welcomes assistant principal Mandy Avera! Mrs. Avera brings fifteen years of educational experience both in and out of the classroom. Her career began in 1998 at St. John's Catholic School in first grade. She served as SIA coordinator and resource teacher at Lake Park Elementary and taught five years in third grade at Dewar Elementary. After taking some time off to spend the "baby days" with her children, she returned to work in 2009 as director of Park Avenue Preschool where she remained for five years. She is currently working part time, and will finish out the school year, at Lake Park Elementary as a Kindergarten resource teacher.

"As Chairman of Park Avenue United Methodist Pre School, I've had the pleasure of working with Mandy and I'm confident that she will bring enthusiasm and expertise to Scintilla", says Eric Tillman, SCA treasurer.

The Avera family includes husband of 18 years, Curtis, and two boys, Cayden (12) who attends Lowndes Middle School and Micah (8) who attends Lake Park Elementary. The family worships together at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

Scintilla is pleased to have Mrs. Avera join an exceptional staff committed to building a safe and nurturing learning environment. Avera says, "I'm excited about getting to experience education in a new and innovative way and share this educational choice with my own child along with our other scholars!" Avera is already taking part in the vigorous planning and preparation for the August 27 opening day!